Chances for top grad programs? In a weird/unorthodox position.

[meguca]

GPA: 3.93

Major: Biochemistry

GRE: 97% Verbal 97% Quant 6/6 Writing

GRE Chem: not taken yet.... should I take it? I'll sign up for the November test if I should. I'll probably score decently but not spectacularly, I don't really have the time to study intensely

 

I attend a major state flagship university which is quite strong in research.

 

I've done research in three labs. Computational biology research for one summer, aging research in a pathology lab for 1.5 years, and EPR/organic photovoltaics research for >1/2 year. I may have some publications submitted by the time applications are due, but that stuff is still up in the air (and depends on how much I get done in the intervening time, which is why I'm hesitant to take time to study intensely for the Chem Subject GRE unless I really have to). I really want to have papers submitted to journals before December but we'll see how that goes.

 

The 2nd and 3rd PIs will be writing two LORs (quite strong IMO - even though I only have >1/2 experience in the 3rd lab I've known the prof since last autumn and was the top score in his pchem class) and the third LOR will come from an organic chem professor. I did quite well in his class and have talked with him about stuff outside of class on various occasions.

 

I think my SOP will be quite strong. I'd rather not post it here but I've had it looked at by a ton of professors/grad students/etc.

 

I'm hoping to apply to top-tier chemical biology program. The Harvard Chemical Biology department is EXACTLY what I am looking for, basically. I am in love with the program. I also have interests in organic synthesis and drug discovery.

 

The strange situation I'm in is that I'm finishing undergrad in 2 years. To be specific, I started undergrad last autumn, and I'll be graduating next June. So I only have one year of classes on my transcript. On one hand, it's not much to look at. On the other hand, it's basically all STEM, with organic chem, some physical chem, some math, some other random computational stuff, and biology... And obviously I haven't done too badly in them.

 

Your thoughts? Do I have a chance at top programs? If I get rejected I'll just reapply next year.

[fuzzylogician]

Your credentials overall sounds perfectly fine (I know nothing about admissions in your field, but high grades, strong LORs, research experience and publications are what you want pretty much anywhere). I'm not sure I follow how you can have 1.5 years research experience if you've only been in school one year so far, but I'm guessing it means that although you've been enrolled at your school for one year, you've been doing Academic Stuff for longer. This is something I would probably mention in the SOP because I'm sure people will have questions, and you have simple answers. Keep it short and positive ("By [stopping time/inventing more hours in the day/bending the time/space continuum/other] I am planning to complete my studies at CurrentU at the end of the current academic year. I have been fortunate to [have research experience at CurrentU and before, work with people, publish, whatnot]. My experiences have guided me to seek more training in the field of [time/space magic].")

[Usmivka]

This is a duplicate post.